HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 33RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR II

Homily for Tuesday 33rd Week in Ordinary Time

Revelation 3:1-6,14-22; Luke 19:1-10.

In the First Reading, the Lord enjoins us to be awake and be prepared for his coming because he will come when we don't expect him. He warns us on the need to guide against being lukewarm. "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth" (Rev. 3:15-16). We must not be indifferent in our relationship with God. We must not slip into mere routine. We must be enthusiastic in the service of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our decision to be awake in preparation for the coming of the Lord must not be forced on us, rather it should be a free and firm decision just like Zacchaeus did in today's Gospel.

Zacchaeus wanted an encounter with Jesus. His curiosity was high but the odds were against him to see Jesus as a result of his shortness and the hatred of the people towards him since  he was a chief tax collector and tax collectors were hated by their fellow Jew as a result of their exploitation of their fellow citizens.

He made a move to see Jesus by climbing a sycamore tree and Jesus continued from that point leading to the complete conversion of Zacchaeus.

His encounter with Jesus brought about a drastic change in his life and his household. Jesus said: "Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost" (Luke 19:10).

Despite his wealth and bad reputation he was willing to make restitution for all his wrongdoings and goes far beyond what is expected by the law of restitution. The result is both, the experience of a joy-filled life in this world and the hope of salvation in the next.

Like Zacchaeus, let our every encounter with the Lord bring about a positive transformation in our lives that will lead to a genuine conversion.

As we encounter the Lord, may it bring about a complete turn around for good and lead us to eternal salvation through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Have a blessed day